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Woman returned for trial on child cruelty charges over eight year period

She is charged with two counts each of wilfully assaulting and ill-treating two children in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health

Omagh Courthouse. Photo: Kenneth Allen / Geograph

A woman in her forties has been returned for trial in relation to alleged child cruelty spanning an eight year period.

The accused cannot be named to protect the identities of the two child complainants, appeared for a committal hearing at Omagh Magistrates’ Court.

She is charged with two counts each of wilfully assaulting and ill-treating both children in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health.

Offending is alleged to have occurred on various dates between January 2013 and August 2021 although no details surrounding the circumstances were disclosed during the short hearing.

A prosecuting lawyer said there is a case to answer which was agreed by District Judge Francis Rafferty.

The accused spoke only to confirm her name and while initially indicated she did not understand the charges, then said she did.

She did not object to the proceedings and declined to call witnesses or give evidence on her own behalf at this stage.

Judge Rafferty remanded her on £250 bail to appear for arraignment at Dungannon Crown Court on February 27.

The woman is also banned from contacting the complainants and witnesses in the case.

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